William Roche (Nova Scotia politician)

William Roche (February 11, 1842 – October 19, 1925) was a Canadian politician and merchant.

The Hon.
William Roche
Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for Halifax County
In office
1886–1897
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Halifax
In office
1900–1904
Serving with Robert Borden
Preceded byBenjamin Russell
In office
1904–1908
Serving with Michael Carney
Succeeded byAdam Brown Crosby
Senator for Halifax, Nova Scotia
In office
1910–1925
Appointed byWilfrid Laurier
Personal details
Born(1842-02-11)February 11, 1842
Halifax, Nova Scotia
DiedOctober 19, 1925(1925-10-19) (aged 83)
Political partyLiberal
RelationsCharles Roche, uncle

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia,[1] he was the son of William Roche and Susan Manning and was educated at the Halifax Academy and the Free Church Academy. Roche married Clara MacLean of Pictou. He served as an alderman for Halifax from 1849 to 1850.[2] Roche was vice-president of the Union Bank of Canada[dubiousdiscuss] and President of the Halifax Fire Insurance Company.[3] Roche served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia from 1886 to 1897. From 1896 to 1897, he was a Minister Without Portfolio and Member of the Executive Council. He was elected to the House of Commons of Canada for the electoral district of Halifax in the 1900 federal election. A Liberal, he was re-elected in 1904 and was defeated in 1908. He was summoned to the Senate of Canada on the advice of Wilfrid Laurier representing the senatorial division of Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1910. He served until his death in 1925.[1]

His uncle Charles Roche served in the Nova Scotia assembly.[2]

Electoral results

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1908 Canadian federal election: Halifax
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Elected
Conservative Robert Borden 7,386 26.80 +2.42  Y
Conservative Adam Brown Crosby 7,115 25.82    Y
Liberal William Roche 6,635 24.08 -1.91  
Liberal Michael Carney 6,423 23.31 -3.22  
Total valid votes 27,559 98.47
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 428 1.53 +1.03
Turnout ≥71.14 -2.80
Eligible voters 19,670
Conservative notional gain from Liberal Swing +5.13
Source(s)
Source: Sayers, Anthony (2017). "1908 Federal Election". Canadian Elections Database. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
Two members were elected from the district.
1904 Canadian federal election: Halifax
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Elected
Liberal William Roche 7,430 26.53 +1.43  Y
Liberal Michael Carney 7,277 25.98    Y
Conservative Robert Borden 6,830 24.39 -1.29  
Conservative John C. O'Mullin 6,472 23.11    
Total valid votes 28,009 99.50
Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 141 0.50
Turnout ≥73.04
Eligible voters 19,035
Liberal hold Swing +3.21
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing
Source(s)
Source: Sayers, Anthony (2017). "1904 Federal Election". Canadian Elections Database. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
Two members were elected from the district.
1900 Canadian federal election: Halifax
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Elected
Conservative Robert Borden 5,705 25.67 -0.86  Y
Liberal William Roche 5,577 25.09    Y
Conservative Thomas Edward Kenny 5,562 25.03 +0.88  
Liberal William B. Wallace 5,380 24.21    
Total valid votes 22,224 100.00
Conservative hold Swing +0.02
Liberal hold Swing -0.02
Source(s)
"Halifax (1867- )". History of Federal Ridings Since 1867. Library of Parliament. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
Two members were elected from the district.

References

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